The Venom Magnum wheels are not for the faint of heart. These are some of the biggest, widest, and meatiest wheels in the longboarding industry. If you’re a rider who loves to push the limits, these wheels might just be for you. This review will give you an in-depth look at these intimidating wheels and help you decide if they are the right choice for your riding style.
Note: This review is based on a worn set of Magnums with the lips worn down. Therefore, it might not fully reflect their performance when new.
Venom Magnum Wheel Specs
Before diving into the performance, let’s take a look at the specifications:
- Diameter: 78mm
- Width: 70mm
- Contact Patch: 60mm
- Durometer: 74a, 76a
- Urethane: Venom Mach 1
- Core Placement: Offset
venom magnum wheel review
Venom Magnum 76a Review: Performance and Feel
These wheels have quickly become a favorite, even in their worn state. The in-corner grip is remarkable, allowing for faster cornering and riskier lines. You can really feel the wheels holding you in the corners. Despite their size, they offer a controlled slide that still slows you down considerably.
They perform exceptionally well on rougher roads and slide consistently across different pavements. They inspire confidence and encourage pushing your riding limits, explaining their popularity within the longboarding community.
Note: These wheels were tested flipped to fit under the deck. This might influence the results.
Mach 1 Urethane: Density and Feel
The Mach 1 urethane is a high-rebound formula that feels dense. This allows for a soft durometer while maintaining rebound and roll-speed. Although softer than some, they are not as dense as the Defcon urethane used in Seismic Alpha’s.
The urethane feels meaty and plush, neither lethargic nor too squishy. It strikes a balance between dense and responsive.
venom magnums squish
Sliding Performance
The slide isn’t overly grippy, but it is buttery and provides substantial slowdown. The slide is consistent, with no sudden gripping or icing out. The wheels maintain their feel across varying speeds. Even with their size, once you find the sweet spot, they slide comfortably without being overly aggressive.
They don’t easily break into a slide, holding their edge of traction for a long time, making them excellent for fast cornering. The Alphas, on the other hand, break into a slide more readily.
Rough Road Performance
The Venom Magnums excel on rougher roads, smoothing out the ride and absorbing vibrations. When sliding, they glide across the roughness, maintaining grip without icing out. They deliver just the right balance of grip and slowdown to keep you in control.
Hookup
The hookup of these wheels during slides is dependent on the rider’s technique and angle. It can range from gentle to aggressive. Angling yourself in the direction of travel helps control the hookup.
Durability
Their size makes these wheels very durable. The sheer amount of urethane means that it takes a long time to wear them down, even when sliding frequently. This makes them a good choice for those seeking a long-lasting wheel. However, the lips do wear down fairly quickly, becoming rounded.
Slowdown Power
Despite their size, the Magnums don’t have the most aggressive slowdown power. They are not as grippy as Abec 11 Reflex wheels. A similarly sized Abec 11 Centrax HD has more slowing power when scrubbed. However, they do slow you down smoothly and consistently without being too harsh to slide.
venom magnums wheel width
Momentum
The Magnum’s considerable size and width contribute to its heaviness. This weight translates into significant momentum once the wheels are moving. They carry speed well through corners, flat sections, and even uphill. This makes them ideal for maintaining momentum on a hill.
Ride Smoothness
The sheer amount of urethane and their softness allow these wheels to absorb a lot of road vibration. They handle rough roads incredibly well, offering a calm and controlled riding experience.
Downsides of the Venom Magnums
Chunking
Like many soft, high-rebound wheels, the Magnums are prone to chunking. This can occur from sliding on rough roads, hitting curbs, or even for no apparent reason. While most chunks don’t affect performance, larger chunks will lead to uneven wear and ovalling. Trimming the wheel may be necessary to ensure even wear.
venom magnums chunk
Slide Smoothness
At slower speeds, the wheels don’t always slide smoothly. They can chatter and bounce in the slide, especially when flipped. However, this issue tends to resolve itself at higher speeds when the wheel is pushed firmly into the ground.
Acceleration
Due to their heaviness, the Magnums have a high inertia and are slow to start moving. It takes a moment to get them going, and you will feel this when pushing and during the initial tuck. However, once they get moving, their momentum becomes a major advantage.
Best Use Cases for Venom Magnum Wheels
These wheels are versatile and suitable for:
- Grip races, like Mary Hill
- Slalom
- Technical Races
- Downhill races
- Fast mountain passes
- Downhill race practice
- Cruising
Who Should Consider the Venom Magnums?
These wheels are an excellent choice for:
- Competitors in grip races who need to maintain speed through corners.
- Experienced riders looking for a challenging downhill wheel and a step up from traditional wheels.
Who Should Avoid the Venom Magnums?
These wheels are not recommended for:
- Beginners looking for a beginner-friendly slide wheel.
- Riders who primarily skate at slow speeds. The chatter at low speeds and the potential for wheelbite will likely result in a poor riding experience.
Where to Buy Venom Magnums
You can purchase a set of Venom Magnums on Amazon.com, at your local skate shop, or from Muirskate.
Venom Magnum 74a Review Update
The 74a version offers a slightly different riding experience:
Roll Speed
Initial roll speed is a bit slower than wheels like the Cuei Killer, but it accelerates well and reaches a high top speed. They perform best above 25mph.
Rough Road Performance
They absorb road vibrations extremely well, providing a smooth and planted ride even on rough surfaces.
Chunking
The lips wear quickly, and chunking is common, even when the wheels are fresh.
Slide Feel
The 74a version has a “slingshot” feel when initiating a slide. The wheels fight for grip initially, and once they break free, they slide smoothly and consistently. When you release pressure, they snap back into traction.
Edge of Traction
The edge of traction is very easy to approach due to the “slingshot” feel. This provides feedback and makes the wheels feel very forgiving.
Slowdown Power
They offer good slowdown power but are not the grippiest. They feel less grippy than Cheetahs.
Performance with Skin
With the skin on, the 74a offers a grippy, controllable, and consistent slide. They perform well as an all-around race wheel.
74a vs. 76a
The 74a is slightly slower, more forgiving in the slide, and easier to slide. Many riders feel it’s the better overall version.
Downsides of the 74a
- They are more prone to chunking, and the lips wear quickly.
- The sideset design can be annoying when trying to dial in your setup with different wheels.
Venom Magnums 74a chunk
Overall Impression
Magnums are an outstanding open-road wheel, performing consistently across varying conditions. They offer reliable slowdown power and are controllable in tight spaces. Whether you want to skate aggressively or relax, these wheels are incredibly versatile. The 74a Magnums and Kegels are top picks for open-road wheels.
Conclusion
Venom Magnums offer a unique and exhilarating riding experience. They’re definitely among the top skate wheels for serious riders. If you’re looking for a wheel that can handle anything you throw at it, the Venom Magnums are definitely worth considering.
Do these wheels sound right for you? Let us know in the comments! We hope this review has been helpful.
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